Monument record MLI80746 - Medieval Manor, Fiskerton
Summary
Medieval Manor, Fiskerton
Type and Period (7)
- MANOR (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1300 AD to 1625 AD)
- DITCH (Undated)
- MOAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- HEARTH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- PIT (Post Medieval - 1700 AD to 1700 AD)
- WALL (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1300 AD to 1599 AD)
- ROBBER TRENCH (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1500 AD to 1799 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
PRN 54526
Remains of a medieval building were found during trial trenching. The building is thought to be high status, being built of stone; it is assumed that the majority of contemporary buildings in Fiskerton would have been made of less durable materials (e.g., timber, wattle and daub). It is also suggested that the ditch may be a moat which surrounded this building. {1}{2}
During excavation of the above medieval building, another medieval building was discovered and excavated. Building One was not built until the 14th century at the earliest, and was demolished/dismantled between the mid-16th and mid-17th centuries. No floors or occupation horizons were found, but other evidence included a construction trench and spread, foundations, wall remains, stone robber trenches, and a ramp - possibly for cart access. Interior - a patch of cobbles specific to a hearth or oven, measuring 1.6m by 1.3m, went out of use during the late 17th or early 18th centuries. This is thought to be the base of a large oven, presumably supporting a high chimney. A small rectangular stone-lined structure resembling a stone cist had no indications of use and was filled with 14th/15th c. pottery.{3}{4}
Building Two is thought to be earlier than Building One, and also has no floors or occupation horizons. The interior contains a sub-oval hearth base, measuring 1.23m by 0.8m approximately. It is thought that these buildings must have been high status, being made of stone. This is supported by finds of tracery and mullions/transoms, indicating external decoration. Although it has been speculated that the remains were part of a monastic grange or small priory, no references could be found in documentary sources. It therefore seems more likely that the buildings were part of the medieval manor of Fiskerton. This view is supported by the fact that there were at least two phases of building in stone at the site, and also by the fact that the buildings have a relatively close spatial relationship with the Church of St Clement, whose living was owned by Peterborough Abbey. The township and manor remained in the demesne of Peterborough Abbey following feudalization of the estates under William I, so it is not unreasonable to suggest that they would site their religious and secular properties close together. {3}{4}
The fill of a large void (probably a pit) to the north of the east-west retaining wall of Building One contained a substantial amount of pottery and tile fragments, animal bone, fragments of metal and stone, and a clay pipe assemblage.{3}{4}
A watching brief identified several features of archaeological significance; these primarily being aspects of a documented medieval manor house of Fiskerton, with walls exposed on the eastern side of the site appearing to represent a continuation of the building remains seen the 1999 excavations. As observed in 1999, the remains were poorly preserved, and have been substantially robbed in antiquity. The stone foundations exposed during the watching brief appeared to be represented more by concentrations of rubble thrown back into robber trenches after removal of the majority of the facing stones, rather than in situ masonry. No occupation horizons appear to have survived, with most of the deposits the result of demolition of the structure or a phase of dereliction immediately prior to demolition. {5}{6}
Sources/Archives (6)
- <1> SLI5957 Report: Pre-Construct Archaeology. January 1999. Land off Nelson Road, Fiskerton. NRF98.
- <2> SLI5958 Archive: Pre-Construct Archaeology. January 1999. Land off Nelson Road, Fiskerton. LCNCC 5.99.
- <3> SLI5959 Report: Pre-Construct Archaeology. April 2000. Medieval Manor, Nelson Road. NRF99.
- <4> SLI5960 Archive: Pre-Construct Archaeology. April 2000. Medieval Manor, Nelson Road. LCNCC 227.99.
- <5> SLI9094 Report: Pre-Construct Archaeology. Nov 2003. Land South of 'Inglenook', Fiskerton Archaeological Watching Brief Report. LSIF03.
- <6> SLI9095 Archive: Pre-Construct Archaeology. Nov 2003. Land South of 'Inglenook', Fiskerton Arcaheological Watching Brief Report. LCNCC 2003.308.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 0503 7187 (99m by 95m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | FISKERTON, WEST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (3)
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
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